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Ireland braces for worst storm in 50 years

A family from Cork secure their boat before Ophelia arrives todayDON MACMONAGLE

Ireland will be hit by gusts of 130km/h today in what is expected be the most severe weather event to reach the country in 50 years.

Met Éireann warned that Hurricane Ophelia would be as powerful as Hurricane Debbie, which struck in 1961 and killed 18 people. A red weather warning that was originally issued for eight counties was last night upgraded to a nationwide alert. All schools and colleges will be closed for the day.

Wexford, Galway, Mayo, Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick and Waterford are expected to be worst hit. The warning runs from 9am today until 3am on Tuesday.

Seán Hogan, national director for fire and emergency management in the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, said that school transport would not…